Lesbian, gay and bisexual people to ‘Have their Say’ in South West Wales

It might be good to talk but we also think it is great to listen!

Stonewall Cymru are holding a Have Your Say event on Tuesday, June 22 hosted by Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service at their headquarters in Carmarthen.

People are welcome to come along at any time for any part of the event which runs from 4pm to 8pm, including coming along after work. It also includes a free buffet.

This is the first in a series of regional events to bring local lesbian, gay and bisexual people from across South West Wales together with service providers to address local issues.

Engagement sessions at the event will include health and social care; community safety and hate crime; education and workplace issues for lesbian, gay and bisexual people across Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Swansea and Neath Port Talbot counties.

County Councils, health boards, police, fire and rescue services and many more will be on hand to hear local people’s issues directly and respond.

Stonewall Cymru’s projects and policy officer, Ele Hicks said: “It is important for local lesbian, gay and bisexual people to have a way to ensure that their needs and issues are not overlooked in areas where we know they experience discrimination and poorer access to services and levels of service compared to their heterosexual counterparts.”

She added: “These events are a response to many lesbian, gay and bisexual people telling us that they don’t know how to raise their issues with service providers and often feel that their issues can be overlooked. This event addresses the gap by bringing people together to focus on sexual orientation issues.”

Further regional events are being planned at the moment in South East; North and Mid Wales for 2010/11.